Natural Resources Conservation Service

JACK BEAN
Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC
Plant Symbol = CAEN4

Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis). Photo by Christopher Sheahan, USDANRCS, Cape May Plant Materials Center

Alternate Names
Common Names:
jack-bean
sword-bean
coffee bean
wonder-bean
giant stock-bean
horse-bean
horse gram
Scientific Names:
Canavalia ensiformis var. truncata Ricker
Dolichos ensiformis L.

Plant Guide
10 tons/ac (FAO, 2012) and 15 tons/ac in Hawaii (Allen
and Allen, 1981).
The plant has also been used as silage and the seeds are
ground for livestock. Adding molasses to jack bean seed
meal may help increase its palatability (FAO, 2012). Seed
meal may be toxic if too much is consumed and should
either be heat-treated to destroy potentially lethal
enzymes or limited to 30% of the ration (FAO, 2012).
Moist heat is more effective at destroying trypsin
inhibitors in C. ensiformis than dry heat (Udedibie and
Carlini, 1998). Caution should be used when using the
seed as human food or animal feed. The most harmful
antinutritional protein, concanavalin A, is somewhat
protected from heat treatment (Udedibie and Carlini,
1998). Even minute amounts of this protein may be
harmful to animals.
Cover crop/green manure: As a cover crop jack bean
produces phytochemicals that act as a pesticide,
bactericide, and a fungicide (Morris, 1999). The canopy
of jack bean can establish 85% cover 60 days after
emergence and produces roughly 4,915-6,250 lb/ac of dry
matter (Bayorbor et al., 2006; Florentin et al., 2004). It
has been used successfully to fix nitrogen and control
weeds under fruit trees (Bunch et al., 1985). Jack bean
can fix between 167205 lb N/ac (Bayorbor et al., 2006;
Benjawan et al., 2007). It works well suppressing
vigorous weeds, such as Pennisetum spp., and can provide
rapid ground cover in agricultural plantations (Kobayashi
et al., 2003). Because jack bean has been shown to
produce large amounts of biomass in both sun and shade,
it has potential for use in silvopastoral systems (Bazill,
1987).

Uses
Commercial crop: Outside of the United States both
young pods and green seeds are eaten as a vegetable.
Seeds are also used as a coffee substitute. The mature
bean contains potentially harmful saponins, cyanogenic
glycosides, terpenoids, alkaloids, and tannic acid
(Udedibie and Carlini, 1998) and must be cooked before
eating. There is also pharmaceutical interest in the use of
C. ensiformis as a source for the anti-cancer agents
trigonelline and canavanine (Morris, 1999). Jack bean
seed has been promoted in developing nations as a
potential source of affordable and abundant protein. It has
29.0% protein content (Adebowale and Lawal, 2004).

Soil biofumigant: Incorporating jack bean dry matter into

the soil has reduced root galling in tomatoes and
increased tomato plant height and weight (Morris and
Walker, 2002). Jack bean has been successfully used to
increase yield and to suppress nematode (Pratylenchus
zeae) populations and root necrosis when intercropped
with maize (Arim et al., 2006). Farmer Participatory
Research (FPR) in Uganda showed that jack bean
intercropped with banana, coffee, sweet potatoes, or
cassava is a preferred green manure among farmers
(Fischler and Wortmann, 1999). However, research by
McIntyre et al. (2001) has shown that intercropping
banana with jack bean had no beneficial effect on
nematode populations.

Livestock feed: In the United States, jack bean is grown

mainly as animal feed. Grazing animals do not prefer jack
bean to other green manures (Bunch et al., 1985) and
although nutritious, it is coarse and unpalatable (Allen
and Allen, 1981). Forage yields have reached roughly 8

Aquaculture: Detoxified jack bean seed has been used

successfully as a high protein fish meal substitute in
tilapia aquaculture (Martinez-Palacios et al., 1987).

Phytoremediation: Jack bean can be grown in soils with

high lead concentration and has potential to be used for
restoration of lead-contaminated soils (Faria Pereira et al.,
2010).
Wildlife: It is pollinated by solitary bees and carpenter
bees.
Ethnobotany
Leaves are spread on leafcutter anthills to eliminate ants
(Bunch et al., 1985). In Nigeria, jack bean seed is used as
an antibiotic and antiseptic (Olowokudejo et al., 2008).
Historically, it was used by native tribes for food and
forage in droughty regions of Arizona and Mexico.
Status
Jack bean is an introduced species in the United States.
Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State
Department of Natural Resources for this plants current
status (e.g., threatened or endangered species, state
noxious status, and wetland indicator values).
Description
General: Jack bean is an annual or weak perennial legume
with climbing or bushy growth forms. It is woody with a
long tap root. The 8 in (20 cm) long and 4 in (10 cm)
wide leaves have three egg-shaped leaflets, are wedgeshaped at the base, and taper towards the tip. The 1 in (2.5
cm) long flowers are rose-colored, purplish, or white with
a red base. It has a 12 in (30 cm) long, 1.5 in (3.8 cm)
wide, sword-shaped seedpod. Seeds are white and smooth
with a brown seed scar that is about one-third the length
of the seed. Its roots have nodules which fix nitrogen.

For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile

page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.
Habitat: Jack bean will become established in disturbed
upland areas where average rainfall is 28165 in
(NAS/NRC, 1979). It is shade-tolerant (Bunch, 2003),
grows best in a temperature range of 5781F, and is
found at elevations up to 5,900 ft. (NAS/NRC, 1979).
Adaptation
A distinguishing characteristic of this plant is its ability to
continuously grow under severe environmental conditions
(Udedibie and Carlini, 1998), even in nutrient-depleted,
highly leached, acidic soils (NAS/NRC, 1979). Jack bean
is drought-resistant and immune to pests (FAO, 2012;
Bunch et al, 1985). It can grow in poor droughty soils,
and does not grow well in excessively wet soil. It will
drop its leaves under extremely high temperatures, and
may tolerate light frosts (Florentin et al., 2004).
Establishment
Jack bean should be planted in full sun to light shade in
seed beds roughly 1.53 ft apart, in late spring/early
summer, at 5060 lb/ac. For weed suppression,
researchers have planted 45 seeds per square meter (80
lbs/acre) (Bunch, 1985). Its initial growth may be slower
in more northern latitudes, and it flowers after 45 months
(Bunch et al., 1985). If interseeding jack bean with corn
or sorghum, seed should be drilled 1530 days after
sowing the main crop, and after being soaked in water for
24 hours (Bunch et al., 1985). Sowing the intercrop at
least 15 days after the main cash crop will limit the
potential negative effects of plant competition (CaamalMaldonado et al., 2001). It does not require staking.
Management
When used as a cover crop or green manure the plant
should be terminated mechanically with a roller-crimper
or chemically when it first begins to flower. Because jack
bean is an annual or very short-lived perennial, it may
have to be reestablished each year if used as a weed
smothering plant.

Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) in flower. Photo by Christopher

Sheahan, USDA-NRCS, Cape May Plant Materials Center.

Distribution: Found in the tropics, subtropics, West

Africa, Asia, Latin America, South America, India, and
South Pacificmainly in cultivation. It is also grown in
the southwestern United States and Hawaii. Canavalia is a
pantropical genus that is believed to have originated in the
New World based on the large genetic diversity of species
in the fossil record (Saur and Kaplan, 1969).

Pests and Potential Problems

Jack bean has no significant pests or diseases (NAS/NRC,
1979). The toxicity of the seeds makes them unpalatable
to insects and protects them from insect attack (Oliveira et
al., 1999).
Environmental Concerns
The plant can become naturalized beyond its native range.
It is not an environmental weed or parasitic.
Seeds and Plant Production
Green pods are produced in 80120 days and mature
seeds produced after 180300 days (FAO, 2012). Jack
bean can produce up to 4,105 lb/ac dry seed (NAS/NRC,

1979), but amounts around 892 lb/ac are more common.

There are approximately 658 seed/lb (Acosta, 2009).
Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area
of origin)
There has been limited cultivar development of this
species. Most plant development has been performed by
agricultural experiment stations and has focused on
selecting cultivars with low toxicity (NAS/NRC, 1979).
Both viny and bushy varieties exist.
References
Acosta, S.C. 2009. Promoting the Use of Tropical
Legumes as Cover Crops in Puerto Rico. M.S.
Thesis. University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
Campus.
Adebowale, K.O, and O.S. Lawal, 2004. Comparative
study of the functional properties of bambarra
groundnut (Voandzeia subterranean), jack bean
(Canavalia ensiformis), and mucuna bean (Mucuna
pruriens) flours. Food Res. Int. 37 (4):355365. doi:
10.1016/j.foodres.2004.01.009
Allen, O.N., and E.K. Allen. 1981. The Leguminosae: a
source book of characteristics, uses, and nodulation.
The Univ. of Wisconsin Press, Madison.
Arim, O.J., J.W. Waceke, S.W. Waudo, and J.W.
Kimenju. 2006. Effects of Canavalia ensiformis and
Mucuna pruriens intercrops on Pratylenchus zeae
damage and yield of maize in subsistence agriculture.
Plant Soil. 284:243251. doi: 10.1007/s11104-0060053-9.
Bayorbor, T.B., I.K. Addai, I.Y.D.Lawson, W. Dogbe,
and D. Djabletey. 2006. Evaluation of some
herbaceous legumes for use as green manure crops in
the rainfed rice based cropping system in Northern
Ghana. J. Agron. 5(1):137141.
http://docsdrive.com/pdfs/ansinet/ja/2006/137141.pdf (accessed 7 Jan. 2013).
Bazill, J.A.E. 1987. Evaluation of tropical forage legumes
under Pinus caribaea var hondurensis in Turrialba,
Costa Rica. Agrofor. Sys. 5:97108. doi:
10.1007/BF00047515
Benjawan, C., P. Chutichudet, and S. Kaewsit. 2007.
Effects of green manures on growth, yield, and
quality of green okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)
Har Lium cultivar. Pak. J. Biol. Sci. 10(7):1028
1035.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19070046
(accessed 7 Jan. 2013).Bunch, R. 2003. Adoption of
green manure and cover crops. Leisa Magazine. Dec.,
p.1618.
http://subscriptions.leisa.info/index.php?url=articledetails.tpl&p%5B_id%5D=12705 (accessed 7 Jan.
2013).

Bunch, R., and ECHO staff. 1985. Green manure crops.

Echo technical note. ECHO, North Ft. Myers, FL.
http://people.umass.edu/~psoil370/Syllabusfiles/Green_Manure_Crops.pdf (accessed 7 Jan.
2013).
Caamal-Maldonado, J.A., J.J. Jimenez-Osornio, A.TorresBarragan, and A.L. Anaya. 2001. The use of
allelopathic legume cover and mulch species for
weed control in cropping systems. Agron. J. 93:27
36. doi: 10.2134/agronj2001.93127x
FAO. 2012. Grassland species index. Canavalia
ensiformis.
http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/DAT
A/PF000012.HTM (accessed 21 Aug. 2012).
Fischler, M., and C.S. Wortmann. 1999. Green manures
for maize-bean systems in eastern Uganda:
agronomic performance and farmers perceptions.
Agrofor. Sys. 47:123138.
doi:10.1023/A:1006234523163.
Florentin, M.A., M. Penalva, A. Calegari, and R. Derpsch.
2004. Green manure/cover crops and crop rotation in
the no-tillage system on small farms. Ministry of
Agriculture and Livestock of the Republic of
Paraguay and the German Technical Cooperation.
http://www.fidafrique.net/IMG/pdf/NoTill_SmProp_Chptr_1AF912.pdf (accessed 7 Jan.
2013).
Kobayashi, Y., M. Ito, and K. Suwanarak. 2003.
Evaluation of smothering effect of four legume
covers on Pennisetum polystachion ssp. setosum.
Weed Biol. Manage. 3:222227. doi: 10.1046/j.14446162.2003.00107.x
Martinez-Palacios, C.A., R.G. Cruz, M.A.Olvera Novoa,
and C. Chavez-Martinez. 1987. The use of jack bean
(Canavalia ensiformis Leguminosae) meal as a
partial substitute for fish meal in diets for tilapia
(Oreochromis mossambicus Cichlidae). Aquaculture
68(2):165175. doi:10.1016/0044-8486(88)90239-6
McIntyre, B.D., C.S. Gold, I.N. Kashaija, H. Ssali, G.
Night, and D.P. Bwamiki. 2001. Effects of legume
intercrops on soil-borne pests, biomass, nutrients and
soil water in banana. Biol. Fertil. Soils 34:342348.
doi: 10.1007/s003740100417
Morris, J.B. 1999. Legume genetic resources with novel
value added industrial and pharmaceutical use. p.
196201. In: J. Janick (ed.), Perspectives on new
crops and new uses. ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings199
9/v4-196.html (accessed 22 Aug. 2012).
Morris, J.B., and J.T. Walker. 2002. Non-traditional
legumes as potential soil amendments for nematode
control. J. Nemat. 34(4):358361.
http://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/18902/PDF
(accessed 7 Jan. 2013).

NAS/NRC. 1979. Tropical legumes: resources for the

future. Report by an ad hoc advisory panel of the
Advisory Committee on Technology Innovation,
Board on Science and Technology for International
Development, Commission on International
Relations, National Academy of Sciences and the
National Research Council, Washington, DC.
Oliveira, A.E.A, M.P. Sales, O.L.T. Machado, K.V.S.
Fernandes, and J. Xavier-Filho. 1999. The toxicity of
jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) cotyledon and seed
coat proteins to the cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus
maculates). Entomol. Exp. Appl. 92:249255. doi:
10.1046/j.1570-7458.1999.00544.x
Olowokudejo, J.D., A.B. Kadiri, and V.A. Travih. 2008.
Ethnobotanical survey of herbal markets and
medicinal plants in Lagos Nigeria. Ethnobot. Leaf.
12: 85165.
http://www.ethnoleaflets.com/leaflets/lagos.htm
(accessed 22 Aug. 2012)
Pereira, B.F.F, C.A. de Abreu, U. Herpin, M.F. de Abreu,
and R.S. Berton. 2010. Phytoremediation of lead by
jack beans on a Rhodic Hapludox amended with
EDTA. Sci. Agric. (Piracicaba, Braz.), 67(3):308
318. doi:10.1590/S0103-90162010000300009
Saur, J. and L. Kaplan. 1969. Canavalia beans in
American prehistory. American Antiquity 34(4):417424.
Udedibie, A.B.I., and C.R. Carlini. 1998. Questions and
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Citation
Sheahan, C.M. 2012. Plant guide for jack bean
(Canavalia ensiformis). USDA-Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Cape May Plant Materials Center,
Cape May, NJ.
Published March 2013
Edited: 25Feb2013 aym; 25Feb2013 rg; 25Feb2013 sc

For more information about this and other plants, please

contact your local NRCS field office or Conservation
District at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ and visit the
PLANTS Web site at http://plants.usda.gov/ or the Plant
Materials Program Web site http://plantmaterials.nrcs.usda.gov.
PLANTS is not responsible for the content or availability
of other Web sites.

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